Why would I want a boiling water tap?
Lorna Smith-Reeve is a kitchen designer at Clarendon Kitchens, Norfolk
WE ARE FINDING THAT ONE OF THE MOST DESIRED ‘WISH LIST’ ITEMS FOR THE KITCHEN AT THE MOMENT IS A HOT WATER TAP. I TOTALLY GET IT. IF I WAS REDOING MY KITCHEN IT WOULD BE TOP OF MY WISH LIST TOO!
But are they really worth the investment? Are they a ‘gadget’ or do they truly have an impact on day to day living? I mean let’s face it, in this day and age time is precious. Who wants to be waiting for the kettle to boil when at the touch of a button they can get instant boiling water straight from the tap? From making tea and coffee, to cooking, if you find yourself boiling your kettle numerous times a day then a boiling water tap may just be the thing for you.
Is it an economical option? Well it would take a very long time for the tap to pay for itself – it’s best to look on it as a long-term investment and go as high as your budget will allow at the time. Ideally you want to be getting a tap which will see you through the life of your kitchen so buy well. Day to day running costs vary but Quooker claim approx 3p a day compared to 2.5p every time you boil the kettle.
“Quooker is one of the only taps on the market to achieve true 100 degree temperatures
There are plenty of options to choose from with varying price tags. Be it a standalone boiling tap in addition to your normal hot/cold kitchen tap or a 3 in 1 boiling tap which does it all, there’s something to suit everyone’s lifestyle needs. Each comes with a tank which will need to be housed under the sink. They fit comfortably in a 600mm base unit but tank sizes vary make to make. Most of the higher end taps will also filter the water – drawing out impurities and avoiding lime scale build up – especially important in hard water areas.
The majority of the boiling water taps on the market dispense at about 98 degrees. Quooker is an exception due to its patented pressurised tank which means it is one of the only taps on the market to achieve true 100 degree temperatures. This ability certainly makes it stand out above other boiling taps on the market. Be it sterilising, cooking cous cous or simply making a cup of tea, the Quooker tap will deliver every time.
For now, I shall carry on dreaming of the day when I too may have my very own true boiling water tap in my kitchen – that dream of no longer waiting for the kettle to boil and missing the juicy parts of conversations with my girl friends…. No more descaling when I’d rather be playing outside with the children…. Instant boiling water for the dippy eggs before the school run in the morning… Yep, I’m definitely in the pro boiling tap team!